For Immediate Release September 2, 2003
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166

Arlington, Texas - The U.S. economy appears poised for accelerated growth according to data from Decision Analyst, Inc.'s August U.S. Economic Index. The overall Index (calculated from a nationwide, online survey conducted during the last 10 days of each month) in August remained unchanged from July at 108 points. However, business activity showed strong growth, recording its highest value this year.

"The economy appears to be finally getting ready for faster growth," said Jerry W. Thomas, President and CEO of Decision Analyst, a marketing research and marketing consulting firm. "Business activity is a key factor in the Economic Index and an upturn there is really positive news."

Among the other categories that produce the overall Economic Index, most showed little change. Corporate hiring is, however, showing signs of expansion after lagging all year. The other major shift was in prices, which were found to be rising at the fastest rate this year.

"Rising prices are not necessarily bad at this stage of the economic cycle," Thomas says. "They indicate that demand is starting to heat up a little, which, given the low levels of capacity utilization, is unlikely to have any significant negative impact on recovery. It looks as if the predictions of stronger growth in the second half of the year will prove justified."

Methodology

The Decision Analyst Economic Index is based on a monthly Internet survey of several thousand households balanced by gender, age, and geography. The survey is conducted during the last 10 days of each month, and the Index is immediately calculated from nine different economic measurements, using a sophisticated econometric model. The result is a snapshot of current U.S. economic activity, as seen through the eyes of representative consumers. Decision Analyst also conducts concurrent economic surveys in Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Mexico and Australia. Whenever the Decision Analyst Economic Index is greater than 110, it tends to signal an expanding economy. An Index value of 100 to 110 suggests a stagnant economy, and below 100 generally indicates economic contraction. These guidelines vary by country, however.

For additional information contact:
Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1.800.ANALYSIS (262.5974)
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011

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